How do I go about buying wholesale or directly from manufacturers?

You will need to contact the manufacturers directly and apply for a wholesale account.  Most will require your tax ID numbers and some will have you complete a more involved application.  Once you are approved, they will provide access to ordering information.  Keep in mind that many have minimums and I suggest that you check in advance what shipping charges will be to make sure you will a have enough of a profit margin.

I contact company directly to request Wholesale information (pricing, catalog, terms) in order to set up a wholesale account.

Congratulations for being in business and growing for 3 years. That is quite an accomplishment.   If you are buying supplies from Art Supply Stores-look at the packaging and find out the name of the supplier. Do a search online and contact them directly to find out if they do wholesale or have a distributor you can go through. You will need to ask what their minimum order is and definitely find out how much shipping will be. (Make sure to ask if they have a handling fee and how much that will cost.)

I source stuff for my store on Amazon just to get the free shipping. Sometimes it is the better price.  Certain products that are heavy, like paper bags, have been better on Amazon.  

I also like to use dhgate for supplies and products. 

Also, go to Trade Shows for your type of business and find someone in another city (so it's no competition) to mentor you.

I see that you are in California. I love the SBDC (Small Business Development Center) for help. They are an incredible resource when opening and growing a business.  They can help in all areas including sourcing goods to manufacture your product.

Hope this Helps. I have been at it for over 30 years and every year I learn something new.

If you know what items you are looking to buy, do a search online to find wholesalers and take it from there. You will need to provide your resellers license number and set up payment terms. It’s much easier than going in to stores to purchase items to resell, and I’m sure the items will be cheaper as you will pay wholesale. Take into account though, that you will have to more than likely pay shipping charges. I hope this is helpful.

What is the business you are in? Find out where and when their trade shows are and go there. Walk the aisles and halls of the show and find companies you want to buy from, have your business plan ready, your resume and references in hand, plenty of money in the bank and a great credit rating and meet the owners of the companies and be honest, professional and open to learning.

You will have to contact the manufacturer directly and set up an account.  They usually have a form  to fill out and you submit your sales tax number or EIN.  Sometimes you submit what yearly sales are too.    Some wholesalers May restrict how many of their products are in an area so the market in an area isn’t saturated  also. It sounds like you have a smaller business so check into www.smart-retailer.com to help you with products and advice 

Living in Alaska, everything has to be shipped up.  in the Art community, we have different club/guilds.  Weaving, Painting, Photo, etc. 

Often belonging to a club allows one to share resources.  A great example are the local Bee Keepers.  Once a year they get together and submit their order for how many hives each keeper wants. This way they can make the arrangements with the local shipper, all the bees arrive at once, and everyone picks up their hives on the same day.  

I also have found it beneficial to send correspondence to my favorite craft supplier and ask about bulk discounts.  

I am wholesaler/manufacturer, I attended Wholsale Shows, where you can actually see & purchase products right there at the show! Some are order writing along with cash & carry shows! Cash & carry trade shows saves you tons of shipping costs!If you don’t do shows many people find us via our website to see our wholesale terms & contact us!